Coal-separator



(No Model.) s sheets-sheen 1'.

J. WOLLEY, Sr.

GOAL SEPARATOR.

o lIIlIH'Il /I e f 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. WO'OLLBY, Sr.

COAL SBPARATOR.

Patented Sept. 21

u t Q/vttneoow 5141) @Mito/L N. PETERS. Phmu-mhogmphuf. washingwn. DA c,

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. WOOLLEY', Sr.

GOAL SBPARATOR.

No. 349,675. 'Patented Sept..21, 1886*.

NA PETERS. Pbmghdagmpher, washington. D, C.

' lar section on the 'line y y, Fig. l.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

J ABEZ VOOLLEY, SR., OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

' CpoAL-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,675, dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed January 2B, 1886. Serial No. 190,091. (No model.)

of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is au elevation of my improved separator. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line z z, Fig. 5. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section 'on the line x w, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a simi- Fig. 5 is a plan view. Fig. 6 is a view of one of the screens i u detail, showing the peculiar arrangementof the dividers or projections for separating the coal.

Like letters of reference indicate correspond- `ing parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the frame-work of a buildiug,in which form I have seen fitto embody the essential features of my separator. This frame-work is composed of two sections, A A2, separated from each other by a space, B, of sufficient width to form a passage-way for railroad-cars or teams. O11 the outside of section A and connected therewith is a supplemental frame, forming a tower, C, which is divided into three inelosures or compartments, D D D2, the latter compartment, D2, being boarded up along all sides and open at the top and bottoni, to provide means for ventilating the mine, so as to form an airshaft to allow the escape of foul air. The coinpartment-s D D are open at the sides and have supports at the top for suitable pulleys, over which run chains or ropes carrying buckets or cars to contain coal for supplying to the hopper of the separator. The buckets are filled at the bottom of the compartments D D', and carried by the ropes or chains to the top thereof, the elevating means being run by any suitable power.

A s the separator is located above the coalmine, it may be desired to have the supply for the same direct therefrom, and this may be effected by extending the elevating mechanism down into the mine, from which the buckets or cars can be filled, to be subsequently carried up to the hopper of the separator. The tower C is somewhat higher than the framework A, as is evident. At the top of the frame-work A is a platform, E, having an opening forming a hopper, F, which is supplied witltcoal from the elevating means before described. The bottom G of the hopper is inclined, and has an outlet opening or passage, H, extending through the front side, and communicating with this opening H is an inclined longitudinaliy-tapering chute, I, the latter serving to convey the coal to the screens of the section A of the frame-work. Across the inclined bottom G- of the hopper, and located some distance above the surface thereof, are a series of parallel longitudinal wire rods or bars, J, having their ends secured in lthe crosspieces K K at the front and rear sides of the hopper. It will be seen that these rods or bars J, combined with the cross-pieces K K', form an open or grated frame, which, being located some distance above the bottom of the hopper, will allow the passage through the bars of the grate of small lumps of coal, while those lumps which are too large to pass through the spaces between the rods or bars slide down over the latter into a chute, L, which is hinged at its upper or inner end to the cross-piece K. This chute extends over the space B between the two sections A A2 of the frame-work, and has its free end supported by thelatter section, A2. The chute L is inclined downwardly and has its side walls converging or tapering toward the outlet end, and thus the outlet of the chute is smaller than the inlet end. It will be observed that the lumps of coal which escape through the spaces between the bars or rods J of the grate are received on the inclined bottom G ofthe hopper and slide down the same to the outlet-opening H, through which they pass into the chute I below. Those lumps of coal which cannot, or, rather, do not, pass through the spaces between the bars J of the grate escape along and down the chute L into the section A2. I thus provide a general subdivision of the coal supplied to the hopper F,

the larger lumps being carried off into one section, A, of the separator, to be screened and separated, and the smaller lumps passed through the section A for the same purpose.

I will now proceed to describe the construc- IOO tion of section A2, and explain the course of the coal after it escapes from the chute L. The section AL is provided with a series of bins or troughs, M M N N O, all arranged in the same horizontal plane, and of such varyingsizes as to suit the wishes ofthe user. The bins are open at the top, and are preferably provided with inclined bott-oms a. Outletopenings I) are provided in the bins at the inner sides adjacent to the space or passage-way B, and depending from said outlet-openings are a series of inclined boards, c, which allow the descent of the coal from the bins in loading up tcalns or cars. Located above the central bin'or trough, N, is a perforated screen, P, bent transversely to forni an inverted V in cross-section, and projecting upward from the screen surface at the spaces between and around the perfor-ations are a series of raised spurs, projections, or dividers, Q, which serve to divide or separate the mass ot' coal falling on the screen. The angle of the V- shaped screen P coincides with the center -of the bin N and also lwith the discharge-outlet of the chute L, the latter resting on and supported by thesaidscreen. Theperforationsinthescreen P are arranged in rows, with one row out of line with the preceding and succeeding rows, and the spurs or dividers are located in the spaces between each row ol" perforations. By this arrangement the coal which passes down each side ofthe screen l? strikes the spurs or dividers and is deflected to one side, so as to pass over the perforations, and thus the proper screening and separation of the coal are effected. As the screen l? :is V- shaped in crosssection, with the angle of the V coinciding with the outlet ofthe chute L, it will be seen that the mass of coal discharged from the said chute strikes the angle of the screen, and that said niassis divided into two portions-one part dcseending one side ot' the screen and the other part the opposite side. The screen l covers the middle bin, N, so that such lumps of coal as will pass through the perfor-ations of the screen drop down and are received in the said bin. The larger lumps or sizes of coal escape over the pcrforations ot' the screen upon the straight bars d of a grate, R, on each side of the said screen. The grates lt cover the bins M N', and the spaces between the bars of said grates allow the passage ot' the lumps of coal which escape from the screen P down into the said bins. The coal that is too large to pass through the spaces between the bars of grates R escapes over the latter and falls into the two end bins, M O, which receive the largest size of coal. Side walls, S, are provided along each side of the screen l) and grates R to prevent the escape of coal over the sides. It will be understood that the coal discharged from 1 the chute L is separated into three sizes vand stored in suitable bins, from whence a supply may be withdrawn as desired. By reason of the particular inclination given to the screen P and the grates B, the coal is discharged down the same by force of gravity alone and at a sufficient speed to cause theproper screening to be effected without any possibility of clogging. As the angle of the screen l) rcccives the greater strain, it is desirable to brace this portion, and this is done by the transverse beams S', secured under the screen, as shown.

I will now direct attention to section A', and the course of the coal from the chute I. This section is similarly provided with a series of bins or troughs, T T' U U' V, having inclined bottoms and outlet-openings e at one side, said outlets being adjacent to the space or passageway It will be understood that by having the outlet or discharge openings ot' the bins of' both sections A'A2 facing the space or passageway B, the tealns or train of cars traveling through the latter may receive a supply ot' coal from each of the different bins without changing their course. Above the middle bin, V, is located an inverted -V shaped screen, NV, perforated at suitable intervals for the passage of lumps of coal, a cross bar or beam, XV', serving to support the central portion oi' the screen. Above the screen, XV and at sonie distance therefrom is arranged a parallel. V- shaped screen, X, perforated atintervals, and provided with spurs or dividersf between the perli'orations. The perforations of screen X are considerably larger than those of screen \V, and said screen X is supported by thc lcross-beam X at the center or angle of the screen. The ends of screen NV are secured down to the partitions which divide the central bin, V, fromthe adjacent bins U U', while the ends of screen X are left free. Another V-shaped screen, Y, is located parallel with and above the screen X, and at some distance therefrom, and has its ends secured to the partitions which separate the bins U U from the bins T T'. This latter screen, Y, is provided with perforations which are larger ,in size than those'oit' the screen X below, and

also with projections, spurs, or dividers g, located at suitable intervals diagonally over its surface. The angle or the center ot' the said screen is supported by a cross-beam,Y'. Guidewalls b are provided along the sides of the screen Y, to prevent the coal 'from escaping over the sides. The angles of the several screens coincide with each other, forming two incline planes -down which the coal escapes. It will be understood that the coa-l discharged from the chute I strikes the angle ofthe top or iirst screen,Y, and is deflected in two portions down the inclined faces thereof. TNhen the mass of coal strikes one or more of the spurs or dividers g, its course is diverted laterally to one side, so as to cause it to pass over the perloratedsurlace of the screen. Those lumps of coal which are too large to pass through the pcrforations of screen Y, pass down and escape into the end bins, T T'. The coal which does escape through the screen Y falls upon the screen X below and is similarly acted upon,

the larger particles of coal sliding down theA screen X into the bins U U', while the smaller IOO lumps, which escape through the screen X, fall upon the screen XV. Part of the coal which is received upon the latter escapes through the perforations thereof into the bin V below, while that part which is too large to enter the perforations of screen W slides down the same into the bins U U. In this manner the end bins, T T', receive the large lumps from screen Y, the bins U U are snpplied from both the screens X and W, and the central bin, V, receives only the-smallest size of coal., or such as can escape through the perforations of screen W.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the annexed drawings. The coal is supplied to the hopper F from the elevating means hereinbefore described.k

Part of this supply cannot pass through -the spaces between the bars J of the' open grate above the bottom of the hopper, but is carried ofi' through chute L to the section A2, while the remaining part passes through the grate, so as 'to escape into the chute I, from whence it passes through the section A. This first general subdivision of coal supplied to the hop- `per enables one sect-ion, A', to separate and contain the smaller coal, while the section A2 similarly acts upon the larger coal. after the coal has passed through the screens of section A?, the bins thereof will contain an assortment in various sizes of 011e of the two general subdivisions ofthe mass of coal first supplied, while the bins of section A' will similarly contain an assortment of the other subdivision. In this manner the coal will be variously assorted to snit the different grades or sizes of coal now on the market. Of the several features ofv my invention particular mention is made of the spurs or projections which serve as separators or dividers, being located in zigzag form over the surfaces of the inverted-V shaped screens, so as to impede the velocity of the mass of coal or other substance, and cause it to be defiected or diverted in its course from side to side, thereby enabling `the coal to travel over a greater surface of the screens, so as to effect a more perfect separation and screening in a much shorter time and with less expensive machinery than hasV been heretofore used. Particular stress is laid on these dividers or spurs in connection with thc inverted V shaped screens, as by means of the -same smaller screens can be used with equal effect. These dividers may either be fixed or movable, and of any suitable size and shape to suit the circumstances of their particular use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A separator for coal, Ste., comprising two sections, A A2, divided by a space or passage. way, B, each section having independent separating or assorting and receiving means, and a common hopper which supplies coal to both Sections, the receiving means for the coal of Thus both sections having their outlets all opening into the passage-way B, as set forth.

2. A separator for coal, comprising the two sections A A2, each having independent separating or assorting means, a hopper having its outlet supplying the smaller grade o't' coal to one of the sect-ions, and an open grate or grated frame located in the hopper, and chute L, to carry off the larger lumps oi" coal to the other section, as set forth.

3. A separator for coal, Snc., comprising the sections A A2, separated by a space or passage-way, B, each section having independent separating or assorting means, a hopper having its outlet supplying the smaller grade of coal to one section, an open grate or grated frame for collecting vthe larger lumps of coal, anda chute, L, extending over the space B and carrying the coal collected by the grated frame to the other section, as set forth.

4. A separator yfor coal, Ste., comprising two sections, each having independent separating or assorting means, a common hopper for supplying coal to both sections, the mass of `coal supplied to the hopper being divided into two streams, the large grade or lumps entering one section andthe smaller lumps the other section, each grade when thus divided or assorted being subsequently passed through the respective sections and assorted into dil'- ferent sizes, as set forth.

5. A separator for coal, Ste., comprising a series ot' bins or receptacles all located in substantially the same plane, and parallel screens arranged one above the other and above the bins or receptacles to separate and deliver different sizes of coal thereto, the coal which fails to pass over one screen and into its receptacle below passing through to the next screen, as set forth.

6. ln a separator' for coal, the combination, with the stationary screens made substantially in the shape of an inverted V, the apexcs or angles thereof serving to divide the coal dropped upon the same into two streams or masses which pass down onto the two inclined faces of the screens, of a series of bins located below the screens in a horizontal row to catch the coal passing from the screens, as set forth.

7. A separator for coal, comprising the in- VertedV shaped screens having spurs, projections, or dividers located in the spaces between the perforations or openings in the screens, said spurs or dividers extending in a zigzag line from one side of the screens to the other side, so as to cause the material to be deflected or diverted from side to side, as set forth. Y

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.A

Witnesses: JABEZ XVOOLLEY, SR.

C. H. WEssELER, JAs. M.`H1NsoN.

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